MONROE -- A generation ago -- even 10 years ago -- it would've been a no-brainer, probably something not even talked about.

But this being the year 2012, when high-level scholastic athletes tend to focus on one sport in order to better position themselves for a college scholarship, there was always an outside chance Thomas Milone wouldn't play football his senior year at Masuk. At least that's what a lot of people would have thought.

Milone, you see, has been committed to playing baseball at UConn since the summer before his junior season and is a prodigious talent on the diamond.

And with the Huskies -- and perhaps the Major League Baseball amateur draft -- looming on the horizon, Milone could have easily opted against strapping on the pads this fall, especially with the Panthers hardly a lock to replicate their 24-1 record over the past two seasons.

For Milone, the decision to come back and play football his senior year was a no-brainer.

"I've played since I was 8 years old. I love these guys, I can't leave them my senior year," Milone said at Masuk's practice in late August. "A lot of guys said if they were in my shoes, they wouldn't have played, but if they were in my shoes, they would play. I love these guys."

The love is mutual.

Last fall as the No. 1 receiver and target for current UConn freshman and Connecticut high school record-setting quarterback Casey Cochran, Milone hauled in 48 passes for 1,082 yards and 25 touchdowns, part of an offense that averaged 54 points per game. Milone's 4.3 speed in the 40 coupled with his uncanny athleticism made him nearly impossible for one, two or even three defenders to cover, even if they know the ball is coming his way.

That's why Masuk's new modus operandi as it transitions away from the Cochran era is simple: get the ball in the hands of No. 22.

In turn, it means Milone -- listed on the team roster at 6-foot, 170 pounds -- will line up at tailback, receiver, returner and even some snaps behind center at quarterback.

"His best position," Murphy says, "is with the ball in his hands."

The player tasked with getting the ball into Milone's hands is junior quarterback Malik Cummings, who saw ample time in 2011 in the second half of Panthers' blowouts when the only remaining drama was making sure they didn't violate Connecticut's 50-point score-management rule.

"To get to a winning standpoint, we have to get (Milone) the ball as much as possible," Cummings said. "You can put three guys on him, but he'll try his best and go up for the ball."

Milone, Murphy, Cummings and everyone else at Masuk acknowledge that this year will be different. The days of putting up 49 points by halftime and pulling the starters could, most weeks, be part of the past.

Still, even with only eight starters back, there's a bit more levity and togetherness inside the Panthers' camp this fall.

"The thing last year was, I don't want to say the pressure, but we forgot to enjoy the journey," Murphy said. "It was state championship or bust. We put all our eggs in that basket. We went 11-1 and won a league championship, but everybody walked away unhappy. We should have enjoyed it. We're trying to make sure we enjoy each day on the field."

That sense of family is why Milone, even in the face of an uncertain and transitional season, never thought twice about not playing and focusing on his burgeoning baseball career. His commitment and increased leadership role have rubbed off on his teammates.

"This is not his future, baseball is obviously his future," Cummings said. "It shows his character that he's still out here because he loves it."

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Adds Cummings, "This is perfect, no names, no pressure, no nothing. We're just one family going for it one game at a time."